High Sierra Topix

Many of you probably monitor web cams like I do to keep track of the snow. I have been amazed on the Mineral King webcams between this year and the last 5 years. Some examples:

March 4th 2007:



March 4th 2008:



March 4th 2009:



March 4th 2010:



March 4th 2011:



March 4th 2012:




Here is last year on May 31st looking more like it does right now:

Holy smokes Rogue, that is indeed a compelling way to illustrate the situation. Thanks and yikes!

Yes it's low, but March & April storms can make up for the last few months really quick.

There was almost that much snow this past weekend at 6,000 feet in the "Desert Sierra" (the very southern part of the range starting just north of Tehachapi Pass).

maverick wrote:Yes it's low, but March & April storms can make up for the last few months really quick.

Can, but probably won't. We're 5 days into March already, and the 5-day forecast is for maybe a dinky storm the next couple days and then clear the rest of the week. At this point, the odds of a 'normal' (or above-normal) snowpack are virtually nill.

I agree with TT. Though march april storm can dramatically add snow depth the water content of the snowpack is very unlikely to come close to normal. I'm looking at late May trip to mid 9,000.

Mike

I too do not think it will even reach normal levels, but look back at 2006, it could happen.
Would really like to be able to get out early this year, hit the higher elevations
by early July (maybe earlier), and yes, it makes me selfish, but didn't get out much at
all last year so there is a lot to make up for.
http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/storm_summari ... storms.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Right now we are at 30% snow pack. This takes into account the "normal" March/April precipitation. We had 2 banner years in a row, and 30% is better than 10%

maverick wrote:I too do not think it will even reach normal levels, but look back at 2006, it could happen.

Sure it could...but the word "miracle" in the phrase "March Miracle" kind of suggests how unlikely it is.

(And hey, I'm selfish too. Looking forward to a good Memorial Day trip this year...)

It just makes me more hopeful about leaving June 1st although I may be getting laid off from work soon so looks like money will be the deciding factor.